AJ Michalka – Expecting Amish

Q) Besides Expecting Amish, what are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I start filming Season 2 of “The Goldbergs” on ABC  reprising my role as Lainey Lewis. I love the show and I’m really excited to be back. I’m also in post production on a film my sister Aly and I recently starred in and produced that I am so proud of.

Q) What is it about your role as Hannah and the project that made you want to be a part of Expecting Amish?

A) I’ve always had a lot of respect for the Amish community. These families are extremely close knit and the work ethic is extraordinary. I love Hannah. She’s so genuine and really brave. There’s nothing like playing a strong female character who has to make a life changing decision.

Q) Is there anything you added to the role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think nuances can be overlooked once a film is put together, but as an actor, it’s what keeps things fresh. I always feel that what is not on the page is extremely important and in this case that consisted of my discover with Los Angeles. This is a girl who never experienced life outside of a very small town and I really wanted to make sure that her introduction to this big city felt authentic.

Q) What kind of advice or guidance did director Richard Gabai provide you?

A) The best advice he gave me was to be careful not to put the maturity that I have as AJ into the role as Hannah. Growing up in LA and working with adults from a young age does not benefit me when doing a role like this. This girl has not lived a life like me and Richard helped me eliminate myself. He knew what to say to get me there.

Q) What scene was your favorite to film and which was the most difficult and why?

A) My favorite scene to shoot was Jesse’s arrival at Hannah’s door after they have fallen for each other and parted ways. I knew that the scene would unfold emotionally in such a natural way because of the context of it. It is such a heartbreaking scene and I can’t even imagine how I would handle a situation like that. I think Hannah was holding everything back not to just jump in his car and never think twice about her decision, but at that moment it didn’t feel right to her and I love that she wanted to do things on her own time by saying goodbye to her loved ones and showing more respect in leaving. The hardest scene to shoot was getting shunned. It broke my heart and was hard to hold it together in rehearsal. The saddest thing is that my father is the one who shuns me and when I say goodbye to my young siblings, I’ve realized my entire life is going to change.

Q) What are your favorite aspects of your character Hannah?

A) She is such a hard worker and really became a mother figure to her siblings at a young age. She is so kind and delicate. I love her grace and have a lot of respect for her.

Q) Is there anyone from the film that you did not have that many scenes with that you had wished you had gotten to work with more?

A) Probably my younger siblings in the film. I love kids and we all got close towards the end of the shoot. That’s when I wish we would’ve had more shoot together. It’s so great when you can capture innocent relationships like that on screen.

Q) Did the chemistry with the cast come naturally or did it take some time to develop?

A) It came naturally. I’ve known Jesse and Alyson for a long time and I felt very comfortable with them. Everyone else on set was really outgoing and open. I really like making new friends and every time you step on a new set for the first time it feels like the first day of school – minus the bullies. Although, some sets can have those too, but luckily this set did not!

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching the film?

A) I hope that no matter what, people come to terms with the fact that no matter where we come from or what we believe in, love should guide our decisions and we have the individual freedom to map out the course of our lives.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback it will provide you and are you planning to do a live tweet or Q&A during the airing?

A) I won’t be doing a live Q&A during the film airing because I really want to just sit down, curl up and enjoy it. We all work so hard on set and when it airs, that’s really the first chance you get to relax, take a breather and let it all go. I’m very excited to see what people think though and social media allows that instant feedback.

Q) Will you be releasing any new music or putting out a new album in the near future? How will it compare and contrast with “Hothouse?”

A) We will absolutely have a new album out in 2015, officially, along with our film we recently wrapped. The two will coincide with one another and give everyone a chance to reintroduce themselves with who Aly and I are now as women. “Hothouse” was a really good 78Violet intro because it will for sure be consistent with the music we’re continuing to create.

Q) Is there anything else about the film that you would like to share with fans?

A) I’m really proud of this movie and I hope it’s just another way for families to cozy up and enjoy time together. If this film makes people talk and think (and not just be purely for entertaining purposes), then we have done our job.